By James Sutherland on SwimSwam
SwimSwam Pulse is a recurring feature tracking and analyzing the results of our periodic A3 Performance Polls. You can cast your vote in our newest poll on the SwimSwam homepage, about halfway down the page on the right side.
Our most recent poll asked SwimSwam readers which swimmer who joined their NCAA team at the halfway mark of the season will make the biggest impact in February and March:
Question: Which midseason arrival will be most impactful for their college team in the postseason?
RESULTS
Alex Shackell (Indiana W) – 54.4% Anastasia Gorbenko (Louisville W) – 16.2% Mizuki Hirai (Tennessee W) – 12.4% Ksawery Masiuk (Texas M) – 10.9% Tessa Giele (Alabama W) – 3.1% Koen de Groot (Florida M) – 2.4% Evan Bailey (Texas M) – 0.7%There’s a strong group of swimmers joining college teams for the second semester this season who figure to make a massive impact on how things shake out at the conference and national level.
The list includes the top-ranked domestic recruit in the girls’ high school class of 2025, Alex Shackell, short course world champion Anastasia Gorbenko, short course World Championship silver medalist Tessa Giele, World Junior Record holder Mizuki Hirai and World Junior champion Ksawery Masiuk.
In our most recent poll, we asked SwimSwam readers which new addition they believe will make the biggest impact in the 2026 postseason, factoring in both individual points and relays, and Shackell came out on top by a landslide.
Shackell, who initially committed to Cal before switching to Indiana, joins the Hoosiers with NCAA title potential in the 200 fly. Her best time of 1:50.15 in the 200 fly would’ve placed 3rd at the 2025 NCAAs, but more importantly, the women who went 1-2 have graduated.
In the 100 fly, Torri Huske is the favorite after Gretchen Walsh‘s graduation, but Shackell’s PB of 49.49 would rank #2 both in the NCAA this season and at last season’s championships among returning swimmers behind Huske.
Shackell will also be a critical piece for the Hoosier women on the relays, having won four relay medals for the U.S. at the 2024 Short Course World Championships. The 50 free will likely be her third individual event, and her best time of 21.71 puts her in ‘A’ final range, and she’s also elite in the 100 (47.44) and 200 free (1:42.28).
Shackell put all of this on display in her IU debut on Jan. 9 against Michigan, winning the 100 fly (50.98), placing 2nd in the 200 fly (1:52.98) and providing a 46.98 anchor leg on the 400 free relay and a 22.31 fly split on the 200 medley relay. Winning the 200 fly was Michigan’s Hannah Bellard, who posted an NCAA-leading time of 1:50.72 which broke the NCAA Record racing head-to-head with Shackell.
Behind Shackell, Gorbenko, Hirai and Masiuk all received a good portion of votes, combining for 39.5% with Gorbenko leading the way at 16.2%.
Gorbenko is incredibly versatile and should be able to help Louisville in a variety of areas. She was the 2021 short course world champion in the 50 breast and 100 IM, and has won the last three European LC titles in the 200 IM.
She made an immediate impression with the Cardinals on Jan. 9 against Mizzou, clocking 58.45 in the 100 breast while delivering 21.85/47.66 free splits on Louisville’s relays. The Israeli native should be a contender for a top finish in the 100 breast and 200 IM at NCAAs, while her third event, based on the schedule, will likely be the 50 free, unless she expands out to the 200 breast.
Hirai is another swimmer with proven ability in the short course pool, currently owning the girls’ SCM World Junior Records in the 50 back (25.95) and 100 fly (55.10). She’s also an elite freestyle sprinter, and it goes without saying she’ll bolster the Lady Vols relays, with the option to swim back or fly on the medley.
Individually, she’ll be in the fight for a top finish in the 100 fly, while she’ll likely also swim the 100 free (53.46 SCM relay split) and either the 50 free (24.75 SCM) or 100 back (57.29 SCM) at NCAAs. Unlike Shackell and Gorbenko, Hirai may not have two individual events where she’s a clear threat for a top-three finish, but her relay value is certainly significant.
Masiuk joins Texas–making his debut on Friday at the Eddie Reese Showdown–16 months after announcing his commitment and 12 months later than expected, bringing an elite backstroking ability to go along with strong sprint free and fly chops that he put on display last month at the European SC Championships.
The Polish native clocked 49.52 in the SCM 100 fly at Euros in December, placing 6th in the final, while he also threw down a 20.62 50 free relay split and went 46.91 in the 100 free. In backstroke, he’s been 23.20/50.43/1:52.86 in short course meters, and most impressively, 24.41/52.55 in long course–both produced last summer.
Though Shackell, Gorbenko and Hirai are surer bets to be in contention to win an individual NCAA title in March, Masiuk looks like he’ll be a legitimate player for big points in the 100 fly, 100 back and, based on the schedule, likely the 100 free. And obviously, with what he showed at SC Euros, he can step in and be a significant relay contributor.
The other options in the poll were Tessa Giele, a Dutch native who has established herself as one of the best female SC sprint butterfly swimmers in the world (54.66 100 fly at SC Worlds ranks #5 all-time) and heads to Alabama, fellow Dutch product Koen de Groot who heads to Florida as an intriguing male breaststroke talent (25.8/56.5 in SCM), and male Irish freestyler Evan Bailey who joins Masiuk at Texas after snagging a bronze medal in the 200 free at SC Euros (1:41.48).
Below, vote in our new A3 Performance Poll, which asks: Who will score the most NCAA points?
Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.ABOUT A3 PERFORMANCE
A3 Performance is an independently-owned, performance swimwear company built on a passion for swimming, athletes, and athletic performance. We encourage swimmers to swim better and faster at all ages and levels, from beginners to Olympians. Driven by a genuine leader and devoted staff that are passionate about swimming and service, A3 Performance strives to inspire and enrich the sport of swimming with innovative and impactful products that motivate swimmers to be their very best – an A3 Performer.The A3 Performance Poll is courtesy of A3 Performance, a SwimSwam partner.
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